Sex slavery is one of those things – like poverty, disease,
and suffering – that we wish didn’t exist, but we accept as the norm. Well, people are prostituted everywhere,
we say; and let’s face it: we can’t
change such a system that’s always been an “accepted” part of society. And
because the problem doesn’t affect us, we accept an “out of sight, out of mind”
mentality.
But I know that I can’t accept this mindset. These are my
sisters in chains; how can I let them suffer while I go on living my life of
privilege? Especially when I can try to help, in whatever small way?
Though diplomacy has made considerable gains in reducing forced prostitution in international cities by cracking down on traffickers, there
is still a huge underground market. And unfortunately, most of the world is
content with looking the other way: the problem is "too complex", "too political" to deal with easily. Worse, perhaps, is the attitude the victims’ own
countries take on sex trafficking. Countries' culture of chastity before marriage (and at times, the double-standard in gender equality) exacerbates the
sex slavery issue: some government officials themselves believe that allowing
brothels for young men is the lesser of two evils when compared with prohibiting prostitution
and putting “respectable” girls at risk.
But slavery is slavery. Trafficking and forced prostitution
are unacceptable. We can turn our heads to listen, and start turning the tables
on this “accepted” system. Providing an education is one of the first steps in
empowering women and girls and reducing their risk of ending up in sexual
slavery.
Janna
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